High school football season preview: Franklin Pierce Cardinals
The high school football season begins in early September and The News Tribune has been all over the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices before games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually before the season kicks off.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Franklin Pierce Cardinals this fall.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s preseason practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on over 20 teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
FRANKLIN PIERCE CARDINALS
Head coach: Trevor Hanson, eighth year
2024 results: 11-1, Class 2A state quarterfinals
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Cody Copeland, Power T
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Andy Armtrong, Multiple
OUTLOOK
It’s Year 4 of Franklin Pierce’s Power-T offense, and the pieces are in place for another big year in South Tacoma.
Cardinals head coach Trevor Hanson still chuckles watching film from the 2022 season, when growing pains were evident in a brand-new offensive scheme. Former Tenino head coach Cary Nagel joined the staff for Year 2, fast-tracking the operation. And Year 3 brought, arguably, the best season in Franklin Pierce’s history — an 11-1 record with two playoff wins and a 2A state quarterfinals appearance.
“It took off,” Hanson told The News Tribune. “Every year, the (scheme) has adapted to our personnel. We have a different flavor based on who we’ve got coming back.
“It had been building and brewing for a couple years. … You don’t get there Year 1. You start getting there Year 2. And Year 3, you are there.”
Franklin Pierce’s seven-man offensive line in two tight-end sets returns six starters this fall, paving lanes for reigning league-MVP Bryson Allen. The team’s fastest player posted 1,631 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns last season despite sharing the backfield with graduated 2A SPSL Offensive Player of the Year Junior Teregeyo and dual-threat QB Jeremiah Orcutt, who added 551 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Could Allen join the 2,000-yard club in 2025?
“Any time you have that guy in the backfield that you know can break an 80-yard run… If we block it right up front, we’re getting points on the board? That’s pretty awesome,” Hanson said. “I was a defensive coordinator before becoming a head coach, so I love running the ball and grinding out the clock. But I love it, too, when we’ve got a guy that explosive (who) can score in one play.
“You have to be a little bit insane in the head to be a fullback in our offense, because you’re waiting for the seas to part in front of you. But we’re saying to trust it and run through it. You just see a mass of humanity of linemen going left and right, so to not blink and be confident, and be explosive enough to run through it if it’s not there yet… once it shows up, we get those explosive runs.”
Orcutt, meanwhile, will play nearly snap — doubling as a free safety lurking in the Cardinals secondary. He can run, throw, tackle, you name it. Hanson may even include a package with his signal-caller at receiver this fall.
“When I go on offense, I get to throw off their defense. When I go on defense, I get to throw off their offense,” Orcutt said. “It’s just really the key to the game, and showing college coaches that I’m an all-around athlete.”
And plenty of Power-T rushers are waiting for their chance to shine following Teregeyo’s graduation. Senior RB Ja’mire Ford is the next-fastest of the bunch, whose 5-foot-5 frame conveniently camouflages him behind Franklin Pierce’s towering line.
Junior OL Anthony Aloisio looks to fill the shoes of his graduated older brother, Anton — the 2A SPSL’s Lineman of the Year in 2024. Junior center Ian Swanny returns, as does RB Anthony Lomiga following his six-touchdown campaign last year.
Franklin Pierce visits Lincoln Bowl for a non-league opener with the Abes on Sept. 6 and hosts perennial 2A-contender Lynden on Sept. 13, an early gauntlet by design.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Hanson said.
“I was reading the quote by coach (Keith) Ross from Sumner. They won the 4A championship. … ‘We had to turn the page as a program,’” Hanson recalled. “It’s similar here. We had one of the best years that FP’s ever had in the history of the school, but last year was last year.
“If we don’t work hard, if we don’t practice hard, if we don’t prepare hard… last year was last year. We just need to keep that the focus.”
KEY PLAYERS
RB Bryson Allen, sr.
QB/S Jeremiah Orcutt, jr.
LB Zeke Isaacson, sr.
OL Anthony Aloisio, jr.
RB/ATH Anthony Lomiga, sr.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 5: at Lincoln
Sept. 13: vs. Lynden
Sept. 19: vs. Foss
Sept. 26: vs. Orting
Oct. 3: at Eatonville
Oct. 9: at Steilacoom
Oct. 17: vs. Fife
Oct. 23: vs. Clover Park
Oct. 31: at Washington
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
